Projects

Project Overview

Insight supports a pilot of the International Early Learning Study (IELS) on behalf of the National Center for Education Statistics in the U.S. Department of Education. Developed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, IELS is designed to help countries improve children’s early learning experiences and better support their development and overall well-being. The U.S. pilot is being administered to roughly 450 five-year-olds at 30 schools and provides U.S. educators, policymakers, and parents the opportunity to better understand the skills and competencies of U.S. children at the beginning of primary school and how they compare with those of 5-year-olds in other countries.

Specifically, Insight—

• Secures IELS pilot study endorsements from 13 associations of early childhood educators and early childhood education research groups respected by districts and parental communities
• Synthesizes IELS pilot study feedback received from assessors, national quality monitors, and team leaders
• Develops recommendations for full-scale IELS rollout regarding data collection and training, systems and data management, and instrument design
• Develops and recruits individuals to serve on panels or as consultants, including experts in large-scale assessment design, psychometrics, statistical analysis, and/or early childhood education

Products

ELS Field Test Report